Packaging apparatus



Feb. 1, 1944. c. J. MALHIOT PACKAGING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet l @WM/a Filed July 10, 1941 Feb. 1, 1944. c. J. MALHIOT PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed July 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Feb. 1, 1944. c. J. MALHIOT PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed July 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

i 41- H' H [1 h l IHKHZHI i BY: Clarence J/Va/fiwfi @67 #UZ/ Patented an. 1, 944

I rscmcnm APPARATUS Clarence J. Malhiot, Oak Park, ill assignor to E'Bs-Redington 00., Chicago, 111., a corpora- Application July 10,, 194.1, Serial a... 401,867

17 Claims.

flZhis invention relates to packaging apparatus :and to methods of packaging, and particularly to packaging operations wherein. during the course thereof .a tahmember or the like is tucked or inserted into a receiving package opening.

it -is--.an .object of the inventionto provide im- Proved packa in app r nd; m d a more to provide packaging opera which will and insure to the pack age a. smooth andproper exterior. contour, and wherein damage so the package-parts such as crushing :or or tab elements or the like ismnecludem the flap-folding cams forming a part of the flapfolding and flap-inserting structures;

Figs. to 14, inclusive, are sectional, illustrative views, onan enlarged scale, showing successive steps in the flap-folding and inserting or tucking operations;

Fig. is a sectional, illustrative view, on :a further enlarged scale, and taken the line 15-45 .of Fig. '10., illustrating the action of the former member; and

Figs. .16 and 157 are illustrative. rspective views further showing .the tab or flap inserting A further object of the invention-is .to provide improved packaging methods and apparatus tor iolding and :a package part, such as a tab or slap or the like, into a receiving opening. 1

r A still object *9: the invention is to provide. in connection with packaging operations of the stated,-for the preconditioning or s'haping of a package opening into which a tucked or-insertedelement is to "be introduced, whereby to and insure the invariable and-proper seating .of the element within said opening.

Various other objects, advantages .and features 1 of the invention will apparent from the followspeciflcatlon when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth for illustrative purposes.

in the drawings, whereinjlike reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. .l is a plan view :of a packaging apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and adapted for carrying out the methods thereof;

vFig. 2 is .a partial perspective view of the .apparatus of l, more particularly illustrating the :former member and associated flap-folding and tucking elements;

Figs. .3 and 4 are partial plan views illustrating the action of the former member as it is en gagedand-wlthdrawntrom the package opening during the shaping .01 forming operation;

Fig. 51s ,a longitudinal sectional view through the structure of Fig. '1, on the line 5--5 thereof Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view through the structure, on the line .6--B of Fig. .1;

Fig. 7 :is a detail, perspective view of the aliner member forming a part of the flap or tab-tucking means;

Figs. 8 and 9 are detail perspective views of operations. g I

Referring more specifically to the -drawing-s,,it will be seen that the structure comprises a conveyor, generally indicated by the numeral HI, Figs. '1, 5 and adapted to convey .a series or packages along a predetermined path of movement.' fipeclficailly, the packages in the illustrated embodiment are cartons or the'llike ii of a type having an end closure formed or .a pair of cooperating side flaps i2 and 13,.Tlg. 16, andyan overlapping cover flap 1'4. The conveyor comprises a track structure l5, shown in section Fig. .6, mounted-upon the frame 15 of the machine by suitable means such as belts or theli'ke. The track member 15 is of general "u-eshape in section, and has secured to the upper portions thereof a pair of :track members 1] and 1 8 which, together with members 1:5,, form the longitudinal extending track structure along which the movable elements of the conveyor are adapted to be propelled.

The movable elements of the conveyor .comprise a series of U-shaped buckets :20, Fig. "5, connected by means of links 21 the links and buckets being pivotally secured by a series of pivot pins 22. The conveyor is of the endless type, and may be propelled by means of sprockets or the like, not shown, arranged at its ends, as will be :understood by those skilled in the art. In the particular embodiment shown, the conveyor is adapted to be propelled by its driving mechanism continuously and at a uniform speed during the operation of the machine. The buckets 20 form aseries of alined pockets within which the cartons II are carried along the path of travel of the conveyor, it being understood that the cartons may be arranged on the conveyor at one end and removed from the conveyor at the other end thereof, by suitable means. The present invention concerns that phase of the packaging operation occurring after the cartons have been loaded and the side flaps l2 and I3 of the end closure folded into position, more particularly cartons, whereby to hold the cartons in proper position within the conveyor buckets during the packaging operations.

a pair of stationary folding cams, an operating flap-folding or breaking member, a series of tucking members, an aliner member or guide member cooperable with the tuckers, and a forming or shaping member insertable into the carton opening adapted to receive the flap, prior to the,

insertion of the flap member therein. These members, and their manner of operation, will now be described.

The structure of the stationary folding cams will be best understood by reference to Figs. 8

and 9, and their manner of mounting with respect to the conveyor is best shown in Fig. 6. As

illustrated, there are two of these folding cams,

an upper folding cam 30, Fig. 8, and a lower folding cam 31, Fig. 9. The upper folding cam is carried by a series of brackets one of which is indicated at 32 in Figs. 1 and 6, which bracket is supported from the conveyor track '15 by means of a support arm 33. Similarly, the lower folding cam al is carried by a series of brackets 34 supported from the conveyor trackby support arms 35. The manner in which the cams progressively fold the carton flap l4 and eflect the tucking of the flap, as illustrated in Figs. 10 to members are movable, and. to this end the support frame 42 is adapted for movement in'predetermined and timed relation to the movement of the conveyor. More specifically, the support 42 is adjustably mounted by means of bolts such as indicated at 43, Fig. 2, upon a bracket 44, Figs. 1, 2 and 6. This bracket is in turn adiustably mounted by means of bolts 45 upon an operating frame 48 pivotally mounted by means of studs 41 and 48 upon a'pair of gear wheels 49 and 50, respectively. Gear 49. is mounted on a driven shaft 5|, whereas gear 50 is mounted on an idler shaft 52, and the two gears are connected for simultaneous operation by means of an intermediate idler gear 53 mounted upon an idler shaft As stated, the shaft 5| is adapted to be driven, and this shaft is preferably driven from the same operating means that drives the conveyor, so that the shaft and conveyor will be continuously operated in predetermined timed relation during the operation of the machine. As the shaft 5! is driven, the gears 49, so and 53 will all be driven in timed relation, and the movement of the gears 49 and 50 imparts a bodily circular shifting to the operating frame 45, due to the eccentric positions of the studs 41 and 48 upon the gear wheels. This circular motion of the operating frame is transmitted to the support frame 42 through the intermediary of thebracket 44, a circular motion thereby being imparted to the forming or shaping element 31, the folding or flap-breaking member 38, and the several tucking elements 39, 48 and 4|. The circular motion of the support 42 gives the elements a component of movement toward and away from the conveyor, and also longitudinally ofthe conveyor. The conveyor and gears are driven as in- .dicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, and it will be seen. The means for folding and tucking the car ton flap I4 into proper seated position comprises that the conveyor moves to the right and that the frame and the elements carried'thereby likewise move to the-right during the time that 1 theframe is...projected toward the conveyor and ing foot 55 adapted to slidablyengage a support platform 56 formed" as a part of theframe of themachine. v

The several elements 38, 39, 40 'and-4l are rigidly carried upon the support 42, whereas the formingor shaping-member 31 is pivotally mounted upon the'-support-for limited pivotal shifting with respect' theretm More specificallm'as best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and-10, the forming member is pivotally mountedup'on a stud"5'| carried by the support, there being also provided a pin 58 anchored to the support and engageable' within a slot formed in the forming member. A tension spring 58 is anchored at oneend to the'support and at the other end to the forming member, and normally urges the latter counterclockwise is seen in Figs. 3 and 4 to the limit permitted by the pin and slot connection;

The position of the parts as the forming mem-'- ber operatively engages the carton is illustrated 7 in Fig. 3, and Fig. 4 shows the :relative position of the parts as the forming member leaves its operative engagement. It will be seen in Fig. 3 that as the forming member engages the carton it is slightly behind the carton with respect to the latter's longitudinal travel, whereas as the forming member leaves the carton it is in advance thereof. This action is secured due to the fact that while the gears are driven at constant speed, the support 42 has a maximum rate or component of movement longitudinally of the conveyor, and greater than the speed of moveface of this aliner is adapted to contact the carton flap and guide the same into seated position.

The flap-folding and tucking operations will be best understood by reference to Figs. 10 to 14, in-

elusive, and also Figs. 15, 16 and 17. It is to be understood that the cartons are moved continu- I ously through the machine by the conveyor, enaging the stationary folding cams; and as the cartons are moved along the support 42 they are acted upon successively by the forming member, the folding or flap-breaking member, and the several tucking; members-in sequence, at each cycle of operation of the support. The action of the forming member is illustrated in Fig. the action of the flap-breaking member is illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12; and the actions of the first and last tucking members are-illustrated in Figs, 13 and 14, respectively. 7

Referring to Fig. 10, as the carton is brought into operative engagement with the folding'cams 30 and 3!, the upper cam 30 becomes operative tofengage and hold the previously folded flaps l2 and Him position, and the lower cam 3|, by

reason of a cam surface 3|a, Fig. 9, formed theren shapes the opening, as will be understood by refon, 'engagesand effects an initial bending operation upon the' cover flap l4. Simultaneously the forming or shaping member '31 isprojected' into engagement with the carton to form and shape an opening 65, Fig. 16, therein, above the flaps l2 and I3; for receiving the cover flap ll subsequently to be folded into position. As will be understood by reference to Figs3 and 4, the end of the forming member is shaped generally to correspond with the shaping of the end of the flap [4 but, as indicated in Fig. 15-on a somewhat exaggerated scale, the forming member is made slightly wider as well as slightly thicker than the end of the carton flap, whereby to insure the production of an opening 65 in the carton adequate to readily receive thefiap without posslbility'ofiamming-or crushing of--the partsL It will be understood that in automatic packaging machines of the type-herein provided, tab members suchas the flapare moved very rapidly into folded and seated position into the can ton; Also,' this actionds effected by mechanical operating devices of a rigid and non-yielding character.'- The preconditioning of the opening 65 by means of the forming-or shaping member 31 which,-as stated,.is shaped to simulate generally the flap" [4, but is slightly greater in width and thickness, insures the production of a proper sized .and positioned opening so that the flap may be received within the carton without possibility of crushing; 'bucklingor jamming, and notwithstanding rapid and positive operation of the flapinserting mechanisms. More particularly, the slightly over-size formingmember produces a permanently set and properly disposed opening in thecarton, as shown in .Fig. 16, insuring the ready reception of the tab or flap. The action of the flap-tucking members is facilitated, and it is insured'that the end closure for'the carton, as the cartons leave the conveyor, will be in proper condition'. s s a Due to the circular motion of the support member-flptheformer 31 may be insertedinto the carton opening 65 to form and shape the same while the carton is being moved by the conveyor, and due to the resilient or yielding mounting of theformer member upon its support 42, the formenmember is enabled to feel its way into the cartonopening without damage to the carton, notwithstanding, slightvariations in successive carton bodies. Rapid and automatic operation with continuous motion of the cartons is permitted. .The spring 59 not only permits the yielding or-resilient movement of.the forming member, but also restores the member to an invariable position as the former leaves contact with the carton, whereby to facilitate its introduction into the opening of the next succeeding carton body. The end of" the forming member, which is rounded to simulate the tab it, has a-rocking action as it erence to Figs. 3 and 4.

As the carton reaches a position opposite the folding or flap-breaking member 38, the member engages the end of the flap l4 breaking and folding it over the upper cam member into position as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. At this station of the conveyor the cooperating contours b and 3th of the upper and lower stationary cams are shaped so that during the folding and breaking operation the cams firmly-guide the lower flap portion and hold it in position. As the carton then moves to succeeding stations opposite the tucking members 39, '40 and 4|, these tucking members operate to tuck the folded flap into position within the carton opening 55. The action of the first tucking member 39 is illustrated in Fig. 13, and it will be seen that during this initial tucking operation the aliner or guide member 83 operates to guide the bent flap end into the carton opening. The action of the final tucking mem her 4! is illustrated in Fig. 14, this tucking member being operable to push the carton flap into fully seated position. By reference particularly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the several-tucking members are of progressively increasing length whereby to effect the progressive tucking of thecarton flap into proper seated position. Also,

the tucking members 38 and 40,- as well-"as tlre folding and flap-breaking member, 'are provided with taperedor inclined end surfaces whereby to facilitate-the flap-folding and' tuck ing operations. *The upper folding cam='- is re-"= cessed-as indicated at 30c,-'Fig. 8, to'permit the inward-movement of the flap during the'initl'al tucking operation; as illustrated in Fig.13,"the

cam entirely terminating as the final tucking members become operative to move the-flap into.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the inventionset forth for purposes of illustration without depart-' ing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, the in'-' I vention isnot to be limited to the specific embodi ciated with said conveying means and disposed at an inserting station therealong for inserting the tab element into an opening in the package adapted to receive said tab, a former member also associated with the conveying means and disposed at a forming station therealong in aiivance of the inserting station, a support for the former member, means for projecting said support toward the package whereby to insert the former member into the package opening, and means for resiliently mounting the former member upon its support to facilitate the movement of the former member into said package opening.

2. A packaging apparatus comprising means for conveying a package having a projecting tab while the package is being moved by the convey ing means for shifting the former member into the package opening and simultaneously along the path of travel of the package whereby to shape said opening.

3. A packaging apparatus comprising means for convey-ing a package having a projecting tab element along a predetermined path, means associated with said conveying means and disposed at a predetermined point therealong for'inserting the tab element into an opening in the package adapted to receive said tab, a formermemberalso associated with the conveying means .and dis-- posed at a predetermined point therealong in advance of the inserting means, and means operable while the package is being moved by the conveying means for projecting the former member into the package-opening whereby to shape said opening, said projecting means having a component of movement in the direction of travel of the conveying means but at a different speed than the speed of travel of the conveying means.

4. A packaging apparatus comprising means for conveying a package having a projectingtab element along a predetermined path, means associated with said conveying means and operable while the package is being .moved by the conveying means for inserting the tab element into an opening in the package adapted to receive said tab, and means also associated with the conveying means and operable while the package ,be-

ing conveyed by the conveying meansfor shaping said package opening to, receive said tab. said shaping means comprising :a former member having an increment of movement along the path of travel of the conveyor and projectible into the package opening while the package is in motion.

5. A packaging apparatus comprising 511188.115 for conveying a package having a projecting tab element along a predetermined path, means comprising a .series of stationary cams associated with said conveying means and operable while the package is being moved by the conveying means for inserting the tab element .into an opening in the package adapted to receive said tab, a former member associated with the conveying means, and means for moving said former member into the package opening and along the path of travel of the package while the package is being moved by the conveying means whereby to shape said package opening to receive the tab element.

6. A packaging apparatus comprising means for conveying a package having a projecting tab element along a predetermined path, means associated with said conveying means and disposed at a predetermined point therealong for inserting the tab element into an opening in the package adapted to receive said tab, said tab insetting means comprising stationary cam means and folding and tucking elements, a former member also associated with the conveying means, and means for moving the former member, along the path of travel of the conveying means and for simultaneously projecting the former member into the package opening as the package is conveyed by the conveying means to shape said opening and for withdrawing the former member from said opening prior to the introduction of the tab element therein.

7. A packaging apparatus comprising means for conveying a package having a projecting tab element along a predetermined path, means associated with said conveying means and disposed at a predetermined point therealong for insertmountedonsaidsupport.

ing th an element into an opening in the package :ada'ptedlto receive said .tab, a former mem-. her also associated withthe conveying means, a.

--support f,or the former member, and means for moving said support in a circular pathwhereby to project the former member toward the package and into thefpackage opening to'shape said opening and'zsimuitaneously move the former member falong the path of travel of the conveying means.

,8. A pack-aging apparatus comprising means for conveying a package having aprojecting :tab element alongfla predetermined path, means associated with said conveying means for inserting the-tabelenrentinto an opening in the pack age adapted to receive said tab, and means also associated with the conveying means and perable while the package is being conveyed by the conveying means'cforshaping saidpackage opening to receive said tab, said shaping means comprisinga former member -havingan increment or movement along the path of travel of the conveyor and projectible into the package opening while the package is in motion. Y

9. A packaging apparatus .as defined in claim 8 whereina support is provided forthe former member, the former member being resiliently .10. A packaging apparatus asldefined in claim 8 wheriein the former member is resiliently mounted upon'the support. 1

11. A packagingiapparatus comprising means for conveying a package .having a projecting tab element along .apredetermined path, means associated with said conveying means and disposed at a predetermined point therealong .for inserting the tab element into an opening in the package adaptedto receive said tab, a former member also associated with the conveying means, a support for the former member, and means for moving said support in an orbital path whereby to project the former member toward the package and into the-package opening to shape said opening and simultaneously move the. former member along the path of travel .of the conveying means.

12. A packaging apparatus comprising means for conveying a package having a projecting tab element along a predetermined path, means associated with said conveying means and disposed -at a predetermined point therealong for inserting the tab element into an opening in the package adapted to receive said tab, a former member also associated with the conveying means, a support for the former member, and meansior moving said support toward and'from the package .whereby to project the former member into the package opening to shape said opening, said former member being yieldably mounted upon its support whereby the former member may adjust itself automati-callywithin predetermined limits .to the position of the package and the package openin on the conveying means.

13. A packaging apparatus comprising means for conveying a package having a projecting tab element along a predetermined path, means associated with said conveying means and disposed at a predetermined point therealong for inserting the tab element into an opening in the package adapted to receive said tab, a former memher also associated with theconveying means, a support for the former member, the former member being resiliently mounted on said support, and means for projecting the former memher into the package opening to shape said opening and for withdrawing the former member from said opening prior to the introduction of the tab element therein.

14. In a packaging apparatus for cartons of the type having a body and an end closure comprising a pair of cooperative side flaps and-an overlying cover flap provided with a tab element, the combination of means for conveying the carton along a predetermined path, means associated with the conveying means for holding said side flaps in cooperative closed position whereby to form an opening in the carton between the edges of said flaps and one or the side walls of the carton body, a former member mounted adjacent the conveying means, operating means for projecting the former member into said carton opening to shape said opening and for withdrawing the former member from said opening, and means disposed at a predetermined point alon the conveying means and operable after the withdrawal oi the former member from said carton opening for folding the cover flap into overlying position upon said side flaps and for inserting said tab element into the formed carton opening.

15. A packaging apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said former member and said tab inserting means are located at diflerent stations longitudinally of the conveying means, whereby the cartons transmitted by the conveying means are transmitted successively first tothe former member and thereafter to the tab element inserting means.

16. A packaging apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the operating means for the former member includes means for moving the former member longitudinally of the conveying means simultaneously as the former member is projected into the carton opening, whereby the former member may be projected into the carton opening as the carton is being moved by the conveying means.

17. A packaging apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein a support is provided for the former member, the former member being resiliently mounted on said support.

CLARENCE J. MALHIOT.

, CERTIFICATE OF cbRREcwIoN. Patent No. 2,5u0,s55. Februery 1, 191m.

CLARENCE J. I'LALHIO'I'. 4

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, sec- 0nd column, line 1 1, for is seen" read ---as seen"; page 11., second column, line 50, for the claim reference humeral "8". read --7--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 50th day of May, A. 1). 191m.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

